Victoria

While there is something to be said for owning the authentic timepieces, especially if ownership is of a brand with particularly interesting or rich history (patek, panerai, ect.) rep collecting, as a hobby, is something I much prefer. Thoughts?

As you know, huge rep watch collection goes hand-in-hand with my huge gen watch collection (well, 27 timepieces...my mum says she has about the same, and dad isn't far behind).

I can honestly say that I love buying gens more, because one USUALLY has a face-to-face encounter with ADs or watchsmiths, it's great to bargain, and you feel good buying a watch you know is absolutely genuine, with no problems, tells, or anything which will go wrong in the near future (theoretically).

Plus, with servicing and care, it'll last you a lifetime.

Then, there's the whole morality aspect, which as a guilty Cat'lick, I can't shake.

But rep watches are fun too. Except the waiting. That's torture.

That is a damn nice watch for $33, very nice.

I'll post a few of my Silix' watches for under $50 tomorrow. If you're into Rolexes, they're the cheapest outside of Canal Street. Look pretty decent too!

I have already asked Admin if he's having Halloween fun with us or not....

I was flummoxed too, and asked what was happening in Ryyannon's thread. Oh that Admin!

oooo, pumpkin burger.

Now THAT is bigger than a Panerai.

In keeping with the sub-theme... who knew the monster I'd turn out to be was GROVER?

WOW. LOL. Grover? That looks more like Oscar the Grouch!

I love the pumpkin burger!! Must admit I didn't realise it was a pumpkin burger, until POTR pointed it out. I wonder if some intrepid American farmer grew it for the county fair?

P.S.: Nice Bulova! What a great idea...I do believe I will copy that for a future child, POTR!

Most people are clueless in my variouis professional and personal circles...they just know I'm a watchnut and usually notice my wrist with a "whatcha' wearin' today'....

I gave up trying to explain long, long time ago...

Hmm, intereseting, Tech. I wonder if it's different for men and women? Watches are at once thought a masculine hobby (just look at the imbalance in membership), but are also fashion statements, like it or not.

Do men get hassled by their friends for any implied feminity in liking watches?

(I can't speak for all women, but I don't get weird glances when I mention I'm "into" watches, at all. )

I know they are there. Don't care if anyone else does really. I do love a good "nice watch" comment, or "wow is that a.." who doesnt though? I am always hoping they turn out to be a watch nazi like me so we can talk.

"Watch Queen" is the word I use, for both male and females.

The thing that gets me, is the wrist shake. You know, to get the watch face centered on your wrist when it settles a little off center. I have a complex about that, I am concious of myself to make sure I do not do it often.

Ooh, the watch shake. I never do that because I too am self-conscious. But what I do, namely, twirling it around slowly looks just as affected...

One of the oldest, spookiest, supposed haunted houses in this world concerns a house in Lima, Peru called locally, "Casa Matusita".

Lime

Light up the Jack o' Lanterns: it's Halloween!

OMG, hello, heads up next time, Ryyannon. I'm such a fraidy cat!

I showed this to my mum just now, and she said they're all fakes -- especially #16. The one which made the greatest impression was #5. Unless it's a double exposure, that's amazing.

However, personally, my suspension of disbelief begins and ends with Jesus Christ, so no, don't believe in 'em, never seen one, possibly they may exist, but whatevs.

Anyone here seen one?

EDIT: Is there a reason why no "Views" are showing up for this post, despite the fact that obviously at least 1 person (myself) must've clicked on the thread? Is this a glitch or...a ghoul!

here is another living dead hand !!!!!!!!!

ROLLI! LOL! First, great to see you again.

And with that Ferrari PAM you look like Dracula's more stylish cousin!

Thanks so much for the pics, Rolli!

Come on now, guys. I will admit to you, I love seeing people's watches in these threads. I just about cried when I saw UB7's gorgeous pics. People are so happy and carefree when posting them.

(Great strap too, UB7!)

Asian Air-King from Silix... Think I bought it for about 35 USD.

Silix gave me a $20 Rolex that looks fantastic.

It was a summer special, but my Air-King from him which I got only because I saw it on Chrgod, was 33 Euro. Oh that pesky dollar.

How 'bout ... "I just like them."

Is there any other real reason why people wear so many different watches?

I wear a different watch every day or two. I change from silver watches to gold when I change from black/blue/gray clothes to earth-tone clothes. Nobody cares ... none of my workmates ... nobody notices ... but me, and I care. Just a matter of style, and personal satisfaction for the look.

That describes, oh, 90% of people on this forum, would you say? Including me!

Maybe that personal trait that caused the Shah to say "Look at my fancy stuff!" was a part of the Shah's downfall.

You're not far wrong.

Mind you, it's all about knowing how to carry it off. The Queen regularly wears a diamond-encrusted Cartier watch even to informal functions. Ditto with the jewelry (have you seen her rings? Mercy!).

No one says the least thing about it. On the contrary, all everyone talks about are her funny hats, and that horrible plasticky handbag.

She's very wise that woman. She cultivated the image of a frugal frump since she was in her 20s. And though her throne maybe studded in solid gold leaf and rubies, somehow it conveys tradition, not the gaudiness of the Peacock Throne.

EDIT: A visual for you.

The Queen during her recent US trip, next to the US President and the First Lady. She's wearing a solid gold Cartier, encrusted with diamonds (I'll get a better shot one day, for my "Royalty and The History of Watches" forthcoming post), and a diamond brooch PLUS string of pearls which both belonged to her gran, Queen Mary, who in turn, got it from the Romanovs. They are literally, priceless. She's covering the multi-million dollar ring she wears next to Prince Philip's engagement ring.

But all we see is an old lady, wearing clothes which were old-fashioned even in the 1930s, with a clunky handbag which must give Donatella Versace nightmares.

Poor Shah. Guy never stood a chance.

Ever notice pam-wearing celebs always have rolled up sleeves?

Yes.

I'm not a cynical person by nature, but I try to root around for reasons in life.

IMO, these are amongst the reasons why they do that:

1- They can, same as you and me

2- They have nice bodies and want to show them off, including their wrists

3- They were never rich before and can now afford nice watches

4- They want to show the world they can afford nice watches

5- They have an unspoken t1t-for-tat relationship with marques, whereby they get freebies in exchange for publicity

6- They're competitive with other celebs

7- They like to show they're in the know, and trendsetters

8- Sylvester Stallone

@vbarret

you are right... but:

european sellers think for his future... and the future is dark for selling german/swiss products to USA.

Right now, yes.

What I don't understand is why people think that this is the way things are going to be.

A decade and a half ago, the Japanese yen was at an all-time high, and the US economy was down in the dumps, after its usual end-of-decade market correction. Then the US economy rebounded, in large part due to globalised markets opening up and the Fourth Wave revolutionising the world, whilst the Yen fell precipitously.

What didn't stop was the Japanese car market staying afloat, because they provided competitive prices compared to American makes. Did the Americans take this lying down? No, interests rates went down, American quality control improved, and even Koreans got into the party, because they saw the killing they could make in the USA.

Now European goods are prohibitively expensive for Americans, whereas American goods are actually fairly competitive, and since they're of better quality than Chinese goods will be for AT LEAST the next 20 years, the American economy hasn't suffered as it could have been.

If you asked me, it's about time Chinese collectors started paying attention to you guys. It's scandalous how mere laws kept them from selling their counterfeit goods to Europeans.

Now you know who your friends really are, Tourby.

Love those blinged Hublots. Whose are they?

Hublot's themselves.

They apparently held an event in NYC last night, featuring these watches. Lots of guards everywhere!

Hambone, you're not the only one with a Night of the Living Dead hand!

You know what's really scary though?

It brings tears (of joy) to mine eyes.

Mine too! Especially since I can spy my HBB Aspen (the White Magic) front-and-centre.

Eyecandy!

The watch is a Chronograph Split-Second with Power Reserve indicator in black with Ayrton Senna's signature in red and the Brazilian flag in green and yellow on the Split-Second hand which can be used to record an intermediate time by means of the two chronograph seconds hands. The push-piece on the watch is red. The watch is the first Hublot to go on sale in Brazil.

Remember this thread?

I just saw wristie pics!

FRONT

BACK

Thoughts: SOMEHOW the back isn't gaudy, though I personally think green/yellow shouldn't be seen together outside of baby vomit. But that's because we know the Brazilian flag colours, and it's so intertwined with the late man himself. Certainly, the caseback is much better than the tacky Top Gun one.

Overall, eh. I liked the pics Warbody posted better, since they were Photoshopped.

The guy twirling his watch looks like he's wearing a gold big bang, no?

As for me, I always wear short sleeves (too hot for suits in Florida) so it's hard to miss a 48mm gold Bentley.

Ditto for me. 80% of the time in short sleeve blouses, dresses, maillots or t-shirts.

My watches STAND OUT big time. But I still turn the face 'round when I'm meeting a person, in part, I like to think because I HATE when the watch is hanging limply nearly on the side of the wrist. *shiver*

Followup: OH! "The guy" being the Shah of Iran? Yes, I did see that it was slightly larger than your usual Rolex, but since I read he had one of the largest collections in the world of Rolexes, plus I don't think the HBB was around at that time (the photo is from around 1977/8. He was deposed in 1979), I went for Rolex. It could be an AP ROO in gold though, but it just doesn't strike me as one.

If we start talking about the US economy, the dollar being a third world currency (oh my God), and Carter administration inferences (someone shoot me if we're suffering stagflation), this thread is going to the crapper faster than a Dacia to a mechanic.

Not to mention Admin will move this to Off-Topic, and should.

Tourby asked about rep watches and the like in dollars. Here goes my answer without the political side-swipes.

I start with an example.

Recently, Tourby, Simona di Stefano (the famous strapmaker) has been suffering tremendous losses in her business, and has drastically had to cut down her strap prices on the Risti Accessories Corner. Straps that went for 220 Euro, are now 150/120 Euro, nearly an 100 Euro markdown.

You know why that is? Because the largest portion of her business comes from North America, the largest of that being the United States of America.

And if Americans don't buy, she has to do something about it, stat.

Clearly some industries cannot survive without Americans buying stuff from them, whether in Euros or Dollars.

So, if we're talking Euros, take this as a boon if you're an international seller, and a momentary set-back if you're an US buyer.

Since most Americans don't feel this crunch within their own borders, and are more than happy to sell their now competitively priced goods abroad, I think the rep watch business will be just fine.

Followup: Another famous (American) strapmaker has cut down his prices, shortly after seeing this markdown. After buying a strap from him, I emailed mentioning the price-drop, and he emailed back saying he's making a KILLING with European orders. Great stuff.

Actually, I find that I'm way less likely to cover up a more subdued watch than a more "blingy" one, particularly around women. Not too sure why, since I'm sure it's the other way around for many other guys. Who knows?

Interesting, Defacto.

Kindness, gentlemanliness, honourableness are basically things you are, and project, without a person having to wear one thing to show that.

But success, worth, competitiveness all need a lending hand -- that's why people buy pricey bling watches.

If clothes make a prince, watches get a second look from a damsel.

Ah, the infamous (and vomit-inducing) Rolex 'elevator shake' or 'lift rattle'. Last time I was subjected to that (one of my colleagues in 'legal') I gave the perpetrator my best sneer combined with a slight shake of my head - sign language for 'w*nker'. Doesn't come up this way anymore

Well, you're a little ray of unjudgemental sunshine wherever you go, arentcha, DBR? Sheesh, maybe the guy was giving you the Rep Watch Secret Rattle for all you know!

Not sure???? C'mon, you know which option we're talking about here don't you? But then I would expect nothing less given your past form

You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you, don't you, don't you"

Yes, yes I do.

That would've won any photo contest _I_ were judging, Dluddy -- AWESOME!!

LOL. Manny. GO SOX!

hahaha~ that's funny V~

I've seen many people wearing their obvious fake....and act so damn proud....... hilarious.....

usually people who wear gen. don't tend to care much about showing it off.....from my experience...

Ooh, Jiro, this might prove one of those controversial threads, unintentionally!

In my experience, nouveaux riches people are obviously very desirous to show off their wealth to you -- be it cars, bling, or watches. Overly competitive businessmen are too.

Old Money (like say old President Bush 41) wear their Pateks on grosgrain straps, and forget they're even wearing it. I've even questioned a few of these types, and they feign -- I think -- not knowing what marque watch they have, strongly suggesting it is in poor taste to mention it...as perhaps it is.

WISses are odd.

We have orgasms when someone comments on the watch we're wearing, but if they're rep watches, sometimes we'll even cover them up because one thinks the details 99% of the world wouldn't even know about, are an instant tell.

Women, in my experience, happily show off their watches, rep or gen. By show off, I mean wear them everywhere, without regard to situation or person they're meeting.

Generalisms, you understand, so I'm just speaking of my experience, not ex cathedra.

Yes, but does it blow you five times a day and make you breakfast?

And if it does, can we rename it "The Happy Hooker"?